Method and system for providing information from a patient-specific model of blood flow

ABSTRACT

Embodiments include a system for providing blood flow information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system including a touchscreen. The at least one computer system may be configured to display, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient based on patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may also be configured to receive a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by at least one pointing object controlled by a user, and the first location on the touchscreen may indicate a first location on the displayed three-dimensional model. The at least one computer system may be further configured to display first information on the touchscreen, and the first information may indicate a blood flow characteristic at the first location.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of nonprovisional U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/177,630, filed Feb. 11, 2014, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/030,801, filed Sep.18, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,706,457), which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/470,802 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,548,778),filed May 14, 2012, the entireties of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

Embodiments include methods and systems for using models of fluid flowand more particularly methods and systems for providing information frompatient-specific models of blood flow.

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease may produce coronary lesions in the bloodvessels providing blood to the heart, such as a stenosis (abnormalnarrowing of a blood vessel). As a result, blood flow to the heart maybe restricted. A patient suffering from coronary artery disease mayexperience chest pain, referred to as chronic stable angina duringphysical exertion or unstable angina when the patient is at rest. A moresevere manifestation of disease may lead to myocardial infarction, orheart attack.

Patients suffering from chest pain and/or exhibiting symptoms ofcoronary artery disease may be subjected to one or more tests that mayprovide some indirect evidence relating to coronary lesions. Forexample, noninvasive tests may include electrocardiograms, biomarkerevaluation from blood tests, treadmill tests, echocardiography, singlepositron emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emissiontomography (PET). The noninvasive tests may provide indirect evidence ofcoronary lesions by looking for changes in electrical activity of theheart (e.g., using electrocardiography (ECG)), motion of the myocardium(e.g., using stress echocardiography), perfusion of the myocardium(e.g., using PET or SPECT), or metabolic changes (e.g., usingbiomarkers). These noninvasive tests, however, do not predict outcomesof interventions.

For example, anatomic data may be obtained noninvasively using coronarycomputed tomographic angiography (CCTA). CCTA may be used for imaging ofpatients with chest pain and involves using computed tomography (CT)technology to image the heart and the coronary arteries following anintravenous infusion of a contrast agent. However, CCTA cannot providedirect information on the functional significance of coronary lesions,e.g., whether the lesions affect blood flow. In addition, since CCTA ispurely a diagnostic test, it does not predict outcomes of interventions.

Invasive testing may also be performed on patients. For example,diagnostic cardiac catheterization may include performing conventionalcoronary angiography (CCA) to gather anatomic data on coronary lesionsby providing a doctor with an image of the size and shape of thearteries. However, CCA also does not predict outcomes of interventions.

Thus, a need exists for a method to predict outcomes of medical,interventional, and surgical treatments on coronary artery blood flow.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the disclosure.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a system for providing blood flowinformation for a patient may include at least one computer systemincluding a touchscreen. The at least one computer system may beconfigured to display, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional modelrepresenting at least a portion of an anatomical structure of thepatient based on patient-specific data. The at least one computer systemmay also be configured to receive a first input relating to a firstlocation on the touchscreen indicated by at least one pointing objectcontrolled by a user, and the first location on the touchscreen mayindicate a first location on the displayed three-dimensional model. Theat least one computer system may be further configured to display firstinformation on the touchscreen, and the first information may indicate ablood flow characteristic at the first location.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for providingpatient-specific blood flow information using at least one computersystem including a touchscreen may include displaying, on thetouchscreen, a three-dimensional model based on patient-specific data.The three-dimensional model may represent at least a portion of ananatomical structure of the patient. The method may also includereceiving a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreenindicated by at least one pointing object controlled by a user, and thefirst location on the touchscreen may indicate a first location in thedisplayed three-dimensional model. The method may also includedisplaying first information on the touchscreen, and the firstinformation may indicate a blood flow characteristic at the location inthe three-dimensional model indicated by the first input. The method mayfurther include receiving a second input indicating a modification ofthe three-dimensional model and determining second information regardingthe blood flow characteristic in the anatomical structure based on themodification of the three-dimensional model.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a non-transitory computerreadable medium for use on at least one computer system may containcomputer-executable programming instructions for performing a method forproviding patient-specific blood flow information. The at least onecomputer system may include a touchscreen, and the method may includedisplaying a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion ofan anatomical structure of the patient based on patient-specific dataand receiving a first input relating to a first location on thetouchscreen indicated by at least one pointing object controlled by auser. The first input may indicate a location of a stent for placementin the anatomical structure. The method may also include displaying thestent on the three-dimensional model on the touchscreen and determiningsecond information regarding a blood flow characteristic at a pluralityof locations in the three-dimensional model based on a modification ofthe three-dimensional model reflecting the placement of the stent at thelocation indicated in the first input.

Additional embodiments and advantages will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. Theembodiments and advantages will be realized and attained by means of theelements and combinations particularly pointed out below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing variousinformation relating to blood flow in a specific patient, according toan embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an image showing calculated fractional flow reserve (FFR)within a three-dimensional model representing a portion of a patient'saorta and a plurality of coronary arteries emanating from the patient'saorta, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an image showing calculated pressure gradient within athree-dimensional model representing a portion of a patient's aorta anda plurality of coronary arteries emanating from the patient's aorta,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an image showing calculated FFR within a three-dimensionalmodel representing a portion of a patient's aorta and a plurality ofcoronary arteries emanating from the patient's aorta, and a stent forplacement in a coronary artery, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an image showing a three-dimensional model representing aportion of a patient's aorta and a plurality of coronary arteriesemanating from the patient's aorta, and a plurality of stents forplacement in a coronary artery, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is an image showing a split screen with the model and stent ofFIG. 4 in one screen portion and a three-dimensional model modifiedbased on the placement of the stent in another screen portion, accordingto an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method and system determines variousinformation relating to blood flow in a specific patient usinginformation retrieved from the patient. The determined information mayrelate to blood flow in the patient's coronary vasculature.Alternatively, the determined information may relate to blood flow inother areas of the patient's vasculature, such as carotid, peripheral,abdominal, renal, and cerebral vasculature.

The coronary vasculature includes a complex network of vessels rangingfrom large arteries to arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins, etc. Thecoronary vasculature circulates blood to and within the heart andincludes an aorta 2 (FIG. 2) that supplies blood to a plurality of maincoronary arteries 4 (FIG. 2) (e.g., the left anterior descending (LAD)artery, the left circumflex (LCX) artery, the right coronary (RCA)artery, etc.), which may further divide into branches of arteries orother types of vessels downstream from the aorta 2 and the main coronaryarteries 4. Thus, the exemplary method and system may determine variousinformation relating to blood flow within the aorta, the main coronaryarteries, and/or other coronary arteries or vessels downstream from themain coronary arteries. Although the aorta and coronary arteries (andthe branches that extend therefrom) are discussed below, the disclosedmethod and system may also apply to other types of vessels.

In an exemplary embodiment, the information determined by the disclosedmethods and systems may include, but is not limited to, various bloodflow characteristics or parameters, such as blood flow velocity,pressure gradient, pressure (or a ratio thereof), flow rate, andfractional flow reserve (FFR) at various locations in the aorta, themain coronary arteries, and/or other coronary arteries or vesselsdownstream from the main coronary arteries. This information may be usedto determine whether a lesion is functionally significant and/or whetherto treat the lesion, and/or to predict the results of various treatmentoptions. This information may be determined using information obtainednoninvasively from the patient. As a result, the decision whether totreat a lesion may be made without the cost and risk associated withinvasive procedures.

FIG. 1 shows aspects of a system for providing various informationrelating to coronary blood flow in a specific patient, according to anembodiment. Additional details relating to various embodiments ofmethods and systems for determining blood flow information in a specificpatient are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2012/0041739 entitled “Method And System ForPatient-Specific Modeling Of Blood Flow,” which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Patient-specific anatomical data 10 may be obtained, such as dataregarding the geometry of the patient's heart, e.g., at least a portionof the patient's aorta, a proximal portion of the main coronary arteries(and the branches extending therefrom) connected to the aorta, and themyocardium. The patient-specific anatomical data 10 may be obtainednoninvasively, e.g., using a noninvasive imaging method. For example,CCTA is an imaging method in which a user may operate a computertomography (CT) scanner to view and create images of structures, e.g.,the myocardium, the aorta, the main coronary arteries, and other bloodvessels connected thereto. Alternatively, other noninvasive imagingmethods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound (US), orinvasive imaging methods, such as digital subtraction angiography (DSA),may be used to produce images of the structures of the patient'sanatomy. The resulting imaging data (e.g., provided by CCTA, MRI, etc.)may be provided by a third-party vendor, such as a radiology lab or acardiologist, by the patient's physician, etc. Other patient-specificanatomical data 10 may also be determined from the patientnoninvasively, e.g., blood pressure in the patient's brachial artery(e.g., using a pressure cuff), such as the maximum (systolic) andminimum (diastolic) pressures.

A three-dimensional model 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the patient's anatomymay be created using the patient-specific anatomical data 10. In anembodiment, the portion of the patient's anatomy that is represented bythe model 12 may include at least a portion of the aorta 2 and aproximal portion of the main coronary arteries 4 (and the branchesextending or emanating therefrom) connected to the aorta 2. Thethree-dimensional model 12 may also include other portions of thepatient's anatomy, such as the left and/or right ventricles, calciumand/or plaque within the coronary arteries 4 and/or the branches, othertissue connected to and/or surrounding the coronary arteries 4 and/orthe branches, etc.

Various physiological laws or relationships 20 relating to coronaryblood flow may be deduced, e.g., from experimental data. Using the model12 and the deduced physiological laws 20, a plurality of equations 30relating to coronary blood flow may be determined. For example, theequations 30 may be determined and solved using any numerical method,e.g., finite difference, finite volume, spectral, lattice Boltzmann,particle-based, level set, finite element methods, etc. The equations 30may be solvable to determine information (e.g., pressure, pressuregradients, FFR, etc.) relating to the coronary blood flow in thepatient's anatomy at various points in the anatomy represented by themodel 12.

In an embodiment, the model 12 may be prepared for analysis and boundaryconditions may be determined. For example, the model 12 may be trimmedand discretized into a volumetric mesh, e.g., a finite element or finitevolume mesh. The volumetric mesh may be used to generate the equations30.

Boundary conditions may be determined using the physiological laws 20and incorporated into the equations 30. The boundary conditions mayprovide information about the model 12 at its boundaries, e.g., theinflow boundaries, the outflow boundaries, the vessel wall boundaries,etc. The inflow boundaries may include the boundaries through which flowis directed into the anatomy of the three-dimensional model, such as atan end of the aorta near the aortic root. Each inflow boundary may beassigned, e.g., with a prescribed value or field for velocity, flowrate, pressure, or other characteristic, by coupling a heart modeland/or a lumped parameter model to the boundary, etc. The outflowboundaries may include the boundaries through which flow is directedoutward from the anatomy of the three-dimensional model, such as at anend of the aorta near the aortic arch, and the downstream ends of themain coronary arteries and the branches that extend therefrom. Eachoutflow boundary can be assigned, e.g., by coupling a lumped parameteror distributed (e.g., a one-dimensional wave propagation) model. Theprescribed values for the inflow and/or outflow boundary conditions maybe determined by non invasively measuring physiologic characteristics ofthe patient, such as, but not limited to, cardiac output (the volume ofblood flow from the heart), blood pressure, myocardial mass, etc. Thevessel wall boundaries may include the physical boundaries of the aorta,the main coronary arteries, and/or other coronary arteries or vessels ofthe model 12.

The equations 30 may be solved using a computer system 40. Based on thesolved equations 30, the computer system 40 may output information 50indicating one or more blood flow characteristics, such as FFR, bloodpressure (or pressure gradient), blood flow, or blood velocity,determined based on the solution of the equations 30. The computersystem 40 may output images generated based on the model 12 and theinformation 50 or other results of the computational analysis, asdescribed below. The information 50 may be determined under simulatedconditions of increased coronary blood flow or hyperemia conditions,e.g., conventionally induced by intravenous administration of adenosine.For example, the boundary conditions described above may specificallymodel conditions of increased coronary blood flow, hyperemia conditions,and/or the effect of adenosine.

FIG. 2 shows a computed FFR model 100 that may be output from thecomputer system 40. The computed FFR model 100 may include the geometryof the anatomical structure based on the model 12 and may also indicatethe information 50 output from the computer system 40, such as thevalues of FFR at various locations along three-dimensions in the model12. FFR may be calculated as the ratio of the blood pressure at aparticular location in the model 12 (e.g., in a coronary artery) dividedby the blood pressure in the aorta, e.g., at the inflow boundary of themodel 12, under conditions of increased coronary blood flow or hyperemiaconditions. A corresponding color, shade, pattern, or other visualindicator may be assigned to the respective FFR values throughout thecomputed FFR model 100 such that the computed FFR model 100 may visuallyindicate the variations in FFR throughout the model 100 without havingto visually indicate the individual numerical values for each point inthe model 100.

A scale or key 110 may be provided that indicates which numerical valuesof FFR correspond to which colors, shades, patterns, or other visualindicators. For example, the computed FFR model 100 may be provided incolor, and a color spectrum may be used to indicate variations incomputed FFR throughout the model 100. The color spectrum may includered, yellow, green, cyan, and blue, in order from lowest computed FFR(indicating functionally significant lesions) to highest computed FFR.For example, the upper limit (blue) may indicate an FFR of 1.0, and thelower limit (red) may indicate approximately 0.7 or 0.75 or 0.8) orless, with green indicating approximately 0.85 (or other valueapproximately halfway between the upper and lower limits). For example,the lower limit may be determined based on a lower limit (e.g., 0.7,0.75, or 0.8) used for determining whether the computed FFR indicates afunctionally significant lesion or other feature that may requireintervention. Thus, the computed FFR model 100 for some patients mayshow a majority or all of the aorta as blue or other color towards thehigher end of the spectrum, and the colors may change gradually throughthe spectrum (e.g., towards the lower end of the spectrum (down toanywhere from red to blue)) towards the distal ends of the coronaryarteries and the branches that extend therefrom. The distal ends of thecoronary arteries for a particular patient may have different colors,e.g., anywhere from red to blue, depending on the local values ofcomputed FFR determined for the respective distal ends.

For example, the computed FFR model 100 of FIG. 2 may show that, forthis particular patient, under simulated hyperemia conditions, thecomputed FFR is generally uniform and approximately 1.0 in the aorta(e.g., as indicated by the color blue), and that the computed FFRgradually and continuously decreases (e.g., to values ranging from near1.0 down to approximately 0.9, as indicated by gradually changing colorsfrom blue to cyan or a mix of blue and cyan) as the blood flowsdownstream into the main coronary arteries and into the branches.However, at certain areas, such as areas 112 and 114, there may besharper decreases in computed FFR. For example, between the aorta andarea 112 in one of the coronary arteries, the computed FFR model 100 mayindicate generally constant values (e.g., approximately 1.0, asindicated by the color blue) or gradually decreasing values in computedFFR (e.g., to values ranging from near 1.0 down to approximately 0.9, asindicated by gradually changing colors from blue to cyan or a mix ofblue and cyan). At area 112, the computed FFR model 100 may indicate adrop in computed FFR to approximately 0.8 (e.g., as indicated by colorschanging from blue and/or cyan, to green and/or yellow). Between theareas 112 and 114, the computed FFR model 100 may indicate generallyconstant values (e.g., approximately 0.8, as indicated by the colorsgreen and/or yellow) or gradually decreasing values in computed FFR(e.g., to values slightly less than 0.8, as indicated by colors that aremore yellow than green). At area 114, the computed FFR model 100 mayindicate a drop in computed FFR to approximately 0.7 or below (e.g., asindicated by colors changing from green and/or yellow, to red).Downstream of the area 114 and to the distal end of the coronary artery,the computed FFR model 100 may indicate that the computed FFR isapproximately 0.7 or below (e.g., as indicated by the color red).

Based on the computed FFR model 100, a user may determine that thecomputed FFR has dropped below the lower limit used for determining thepresence of a functionally significant lesion or other feature that mayrequire intervention (e.g., based on the location(s) of areas coloredred in the computed FFR model 100 or otherwise indicating a value ofcomputed FFR that is below the lower limit), and the user may also beable to locate the functionally significant lesion(s). The user maylocate the functionally significant lesion(s) based on the geometry ofthe artery or branch (e.g., using the computed FFR model 100). Forexample, the functionally significant lesion(s) may be located byfinding a narrowing or stenosis located near (e.g., upstream from) thelocation(s) of the computed FFR model 100 indicating the local minimumFFR value.

FIG. 3 shows a computed pressure gradient model 200 that may be outputfrom the computer system 40. The computed pressure gradient model 200may include the geometry of the anatomical structure based on the model12 and may also indicate the information 50 output from the computersystem 40, such as the values of blood pressure gradient at variouslocations along three-dimensions in the model 12. The computed pressuregradient model 200 may show the local blood pressure gradient (e.g., inmillimeters of mercury (mmHg) per centimeter) throughout the model 12under simulated hyperemia conditions or other conditions. Acorresponding color, shade, pattern, or other visual indicator may beassigned to the respective pressures gradients such that the model 200may visually indicate variations in pressure gradient throughout themodel 200 without having to visually indicate the individual pressuregradient numerical values for each point in the model 200.

A scale or key 210 may be provided that indicates which numerical valuesof pressure gradient correspond to which colors, shades, patterns, orother visual indicators. For example, the computed pressure gradientmodel 200 may be provided in color, and a color spectrum may be used toindicate variations in pressure throughout the model 200. The colorspectrum may include red, yellow, green, cyan, and blue, in order fromhighest pressure gradient, which may indicate functionally significantlesions, to lowest pressure gradient. For example, the upper limit (red)may indicate approximately 20 mmHg/cm or more, and the lower limit(blue) may indicate approximately 0 mmHg/cm or less, with greenindicating approximately 10 mmHg/cm (or other value approximatelyhalfway between the upper and lower limits). Thus, the computed pressuregradient model 200 for some patients may show a majority or all of theaorta as blue and/or cyan, or other color towards the lower end of thespectrum, and the colors may change gradually through the spectrum(e.g., towards the higher end of the spectrum (up to red)) at areashaving higher pressure gradients.

For example, the computed pressure gradient model 200 of FIG. 3 may showthat, for this particular patient, under simulated hyperemia conditions,the pressure gradient may be generally uniform and approximately zerommHg/cm (e.g., as indicated by the colors blue and/or cyan) in the aortaand in most of the main coronary arteries and the branches. The computedpressure gradient model 200 may indicate a gradual increase in pressuregradient such that some areas 212 in the main coronary arteries and thebranches indicate values of approximately 5 mmHg/cm to approximately 10mmHg/cm (e.g., as indicated by the colors cyan and/or green), some areas214 in the main coronary arteries and the branches indicate values ofapproximately 10 mmHg/cm to approximately 15 mmHg/cm (e.g., as indicatedby the colors green and/or yellow),and some areas 216 in the maincoronary arteries and the branches indicate values of greater thanapproximately 15 mmHg/cm (e.g., as indicated by the colors yellow and/orred).

Based on the computed pressure gradient model 200, a user may determinethat the computed pressure gradient has increased above a certain level(e.g., approximately 20 mmHg/cm), which may indicate the presence of afunctionally significant lesion or other feature that may requireintervention, and the user may also be able to locate the functionallysignificant lesion(s). The user may locate the functionally significantlesion(s) based on the geometry of the artery or branch (e.g., using thecomputed pressure gradient model 200). For example, the functionallysignificant lesion(s) may be located by finding a narrowing or stenosislocated near the location(s) of the computed pressure gradient model 200indicating a value of approximately 20 mmHg/cm or higher.

The computer FFR model 100, the computed blood pressure gradient model200, or other model may also include other information, such as geometryinformation (e.g., numerical values for vessel inner diameter,thickness, etc.), throughout the model 100 or 200. The informationrelating to a particular location on the model may be displayed to theuser upon selection of the location of the model as described below.

The computer system 40 may allow the user to select whether to outputthe computed FFR model 100, the computed blood pressure gradient model200, or other model, and/or to specify other color mappings or renderingstyles (e.g., x-ray rendering).

Referring back to FIG. 1, the computer system 40 may include one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage devices that store instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, computer system, etc., may performany of the actions described herein for providing various informationrelating to blood flow in the patient. The computer system 40 mayinclude a desktop or portable computer, a workstation, a server, apersonal digital assistant, or any other computer system. The computersystem 40 may include a processor, a read-only memory (ROM), a randomaccess memory (RAM), an input/output (I/O) adapter for connectingperipheral devices (e.g., an input device, output device, storagedevice, etc,), a user interlace adapter for connecting input devicessuch as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a voice input, and/or otherdevices, a communications adapter for connecting the computer system 40to a network, a display adapter for connecting the computer system 40 toa display, etc. For example, the display may be used to display themodel 12 and/or any images generated by solving the equations 30 (e.g.,the computed FFR model 100, the computed blood pressure gradient model200, and/or the other models described below).

The patient-specific anatomical data 10 may be transferred over a securecommunication line (e.g., via a wireless or wired network) to thecomputer system 40, which may create the model 12 and solve theequations 30. For example, in an embodiment, the data 10 may betransferred from the third-party vendor that obtains thepatient-specific anatomical data 10 to the computer system 40 operatedby the patient's physician or other user.

In an embodiment, the computer system 40 may output the information 50indicating one or more blood flow characteristics, the computed FFRmodel 100, the computed blood pressure gradient model 200, and/or otheroutput from the computer system 40 based on the solution of theequations 30 to a tablet computer 70 (or other mobile or handheldcomputing device), such as Apple Inc.'s iPad®, over a securecommunication line (e.g., via a wireless or wired network, using aweb-based service, etc.). The tablet computer 70 may be operated by thepatient's physician or other user, such as the patient. The tabletcomputer 70 may include a touchscreen. Various screenshots of thetouchscreen are shown in FIGS. 2-6 and described below. The touchscreenmay be configured to receive input from the user based on contact by atleast one of the user's digits (e.g., at least one of the user's fingersor thumbs) on a surface of the touchscreen as described below. Thefollowing description relates to embodiments in which the touchscreen isconfigured to receive input from contact by the user's finger(s) on thesurface of the touchscreen. However, it is understood that thetouchscreen may be configured to receive input from the user based oncontact or sensed proximity to the touchscreen by the user's finger(s),the user's thumb(s), a stylus, another pointing object or instrument, ora combination thereof.

Thus, in an embodiment, the computer system 40 may perform morecomplicated operations, such as solving the equations 30, while thetablet computer 70 may be a portable system for displaying the resultsof the solution of the equations 30 by the computer system 40 and forperforming less complicated computations. The tablet computer 70 mayallow the patient's physician, the patient, or other user to accessinformation from the model 12, 100, or 209, and manipulate the model 12,109, or 200 as described below. The tablet computer 70 may also beconfigured to allow the user to select treatment options using thetablet computer 70. The tablet computer 70 may determine or predict theblood flow characteristic(s) (e.g., FFR, blood pressure (or pressuregradient), etc.) in the patient's anatomical structure based on theselected treatment options as described below.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the tablet computer 70 may providetwo mode selection buttons 310 and 320 that allow the user to switchbetween two modes. Touching the first button 310 allows the user toselect the first operating mode (e.g., an inspection mode), and touchingthe second button 320 allows the user to select the second operatingmode (e.g., a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) mode).

FIGS. 2 and 3 are images illustrating screen shots of the tabletcomputer 70 operating in the first operating mode. In the firstoperating mode, the tablet computer 70 may display informationindicating one or more blood flow characteristics of the patient in thepatient's current condition, e.g., the computed FFR model 100 (FIG. 2)the computed pressure gradient model 200 (FIG. 3), or other modelproviding the information 50 output from the computer system 40. Inputsreceived from the user using the tablet computer 70 in the firstoperating mode may allow the user to interact with and manipulate thedisplayed information regarding the patient's current condition.

The tablet computer 70 may be configured to determine when the user'sfinger(s) contact the surface of the touchscreen at a locationcorresponding to a location on the displayed model 100 or 200 (and acorresponding location in the patient's anatomical structure). Based onthis input, the tablet computer 70 may determine the numerical value ofa blood flow characteristic (e.g., FFR, blood pressure (or pressuregradient), and/or other blood flow characteristic selected by the user)at the indicated location on the displayed model 100 or 200, and maydisplay the determined numerical value. The displayed numerical valuemay be dynamically updated as the user drags the finger(s) along thesurface of the touchscreen and along the displayed model 100 or 200.Thus, the user may touch any point on the model 12, 100, or 200 todetermine the numerical value of any of the blood flow characteristicsdescribed above, e.g., FFR, blood pressure (or pressure gradient),and/or other blood flow characteristic, at that point. Additionalinformation relating to the indicated point on the model 12, 100, or 200may also be displayed to the user, such as geometry information (e.g., anumerical value of the vessel inner diameter, etc.).

For example, the tablet computer 70 may be configured to determine whenthe user's finger(s) contact the surface of the touchscreen for apredetermined time (e.g., a touch and hold) at a location correspondingto a location on the displayed model 100 or 200. Based on this input,the tablet computer 70 may create a tag or pin 330 that points to theindicated location within the displayed model 100 or 200. The user canthen drag or move the pin 330 anywhere within the displayed model 100 or200 to determine the numerical value of a blood flow characteristic atthe indicated location on the displayed model 100 or 200 to which thepin 330 has been dragged. The numerical value may be dynamically updatedas the pin 330 is dragged. The tablet computer 70 may display thedetermined numerical value within or near the pin 330. For example, inFIGS. 2 and 3, the pin 330 points to a location in one of the coronaryarteries illustrated in the model 100 where the FFR value is 0.58. Thepin 330 may also indicate other information regarding the indicatedlocation, such as a dimension (e.g., diameter) of the vessel at theindicated location. The tablet computer 70 may allow the user to createmore than one pin 330 to drag separately around the model 100 or 200,and remove the pin(s) 330, as desired.

When the user's finger(s) contact the surface of the touchscreen (e.g.,for less than the amount of time associated with creating the pin 330)at a location corresponding to a location on the displayed model 100 or200, then the tablet computer 70 may determine that the user hasselected a particular coronary artery (and/or the branches connectedthereto) and may fade (e.g., dim or decrease the brightness of) theother coronary arteries and branches.

Alternatively, or in addition, the selected location may become a newfocal point of view for the displayed model 100 or 200, and/or a newlocal origin for transformations, such as rotation and zoom. This allowsthe user to focus in on a potential stenosis, and to rotate around orzoom to (or away from) any user-defined point.

The tablet computer 70 may also be configured to determine when theuser's finger(s) swipe or drag on the surface of the touchscreen (e.g.,at a location away from the pin 330). Based on this input, the tabletcomputer 70 may rotate the displayed model 100 or 200. The amount anddirection of rotation may depend on the distance that the finger(s)travel in contacting the surface of the touchscreen during the swipe andthe direction of the swipe along the surface of the touchscreen.

The tablet computer 70 may also be configured to determine when theusers fingers pinch the surface of the touchscreen. if the user'sfingers move closer together, the tablet computer 70 may zoom out fromthe displayed model 100 or 200. If the user's fingers move away fromeach other, the tablet computer 70 may zoom in on the displayed model100 or 200. The amount of the zoom may depend on the distance that thefinger(s) travel in the pinch along the surface of the touchscreen.

As the user manipulates the view of the displayed model 100 or 200(e.g., by rotating, zooming in or away, changing the focal point, etc.),the tube angulation or other information for characterizing thedirection from which the anatomical structure is being viewed may bedisplayed to the user and dynamically updated. For example, theinformation may be provided in the form of left anterior oblique (LAO),right anterior oblique (RAO), caudal (CAUD), and/or cranial (CRAN)angles, e.g., LAO 20° and CRAN 0°, as known in the art.

FIGS. 4-6 are images illustrating screen shots of the tablet computer 70operating in the second operating mode (e.g., the PCI mode) selected bythe user by touching the second button 320. inputs received from theuser using the tablet computer 70 in the second operating mode allow theuser to plan treatment options using the displayed model 400, which maybe created based on the model 12 (e.g., a model reflecting the geometryof the patient's anatomical structure without additional informationindicating blood flow characteristic(s)), the computed FFR model 100(FIG. 2), the computed pressure gradient model 200 (FIG. 3), or othermodel providing information 50 indicating a blood flow characteristic ofthe patient in the patient's current condition. The tablet computer 70may display predicted information regarding the blood flowcharacteristic(s) FFR, blood pressure (or pressure gradient), etc.)based on the selected the treatment option.

FIG. 4 shows a screen shot of the tablet computer 70 operating in thesecond operating mode to allow the user to select a treatment optionusing the model 400. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the model 400 iscreated based on the computed FFR model 100. Alternatively, the model400 may be created based on the model 12, the computed pressure gradientmodel 200, and/or other model. The tablet computer 70 may be configuredto determine when the user's finger(s) contact the surface of thetouchscreen (e.g., for a predetermined time (e.g., a touch and hold)) ata location corresponding to a location on the displayed model 400 (and acorresponding location in the patient's anatomical structure). Based onthis input, the tablet computer 70 may display a stent 410 for plannedinsertion into the patient's anatomical structure (e.g., in a coronaryartery). The tablet computer 70 may allow the user to place more thanone stent 410 on the model 400, as shown in FIG. 5, and remove thestent(s) 410, as desired.

When initially placed on the model 400, the stent 410 may have apredetermined size or dimension, or other characteristics (e.g.,diameter, length, material, wire thickness, wire configuration, etc.).The stent 410 may be initially placed so that the stent 410 is centeredlongitudinally with respect to the location selected by the user.

The user may then provide additional inputs to define and/or adjust thestent 410. For example, the tablet computer 70 may be configured todetermine when the user's finger(s) swipe or drag on the surface of thetouchscreen. Based on this input, the tablet computer 70 may move thestent 410 along the model 400. For example, the stent 410 may moveparallel to the centerline(s) of the coronary artery or arteries (orbranches connected thereto). Also, the shape of the stent 410 mayconform to bends and curves in the centerline(s), as shown in FIGS. 4-6,as the stent 410 is dragged or moved along the centerline(s). The amountand direction (e.g., upstream or downstream along the centerline(s)) ofmovement of the stent 410 may depend on the distance that the finger(s)travel in contacting the surface of the touchscreen during the swipe andthe direction of the swipe along the surface of the touchscreen.

The tablet computer 70 may also be configured to determine when theuser's fingers pinch the surface of the touchscreen. if the user'sfingers move closer together, the tablet computer 70 may shorten thestent 410 (e.g., in the longitudinal direction and/or the direction ofthe centerline(s)). If the user's fingers move away from each other, thetablet computer 70 may lengthen the stent 410 (e.g., in the longitudinaldirection and/or the direction of the centerline(s)). The amount of thechange in length may depend on the distance that the finger(s) travelalong the surface of the touchscreen to form the pinch. Also, the changein length may be continuous or may be provided in increments (e.g.,approximately 4 millimeter increments or other increment). For example,if the stent 410 has a sequential ring configuration (e.g., a series ofsequential rings that are joined together to form a tubular structure),then the change in length may be provided in increments that aregenerally equivalent to a length of one ring, and the touchscreen mayshow the ring(s) being added or removed from the stent 410 to shorten orlengthen the stent 410.

Other features may be provided that allow the user to adjust andmanipulate the stent 410. FIG. 5 shows a screen shot of the tabletcomputer 70 operating in the second operating mode to allow the user toplan a treatment option associated with the placement of the stent 410using the model 400, according to another embodiment.

When displaying the stent 410 for planned insertion into the patient'sanatomical structure (e.g., in a coronary artery), the tablet computer70 may create one or more handles, such as a first handle 420, a secondhandle 430, and/or a third handle 440. The first handle 420 may belocated at or near the center of the stent 410 along the longitudinaldirection. The user may drag or move the stent 410 along the model 400by pressing the first handle 420 and dragging the first handle 420 to adesired location on the model 400. Movement of the first handle 420results in movement of the stent 410. As the user drags the first handle420 along the model 400, the stent 410 may also move parallel to thecenterline(s) of the coronary artery or arteries (or branches connectedthereto) until the user removes the finger(s) from the first handle 420.Also, the shape of the stent 410 may conform to bends and curves in thecenterline(s) as the stent 410 is dragged or moved along thecenterline(s) with the first handle 420.

The second and third handles 430, 440 may be located at or near theproximal and distal ends of the stent 410, respectively. The user mayadjust the length of the stent 410 by pressing the second and/or thethird handles 430, 440 and dragging the respective second and/or thirdhandles 430, 440 along the model 400, thereby adjusting the locations ofthe respective proximal and distal ends of the stent 410. Movement ofthe second and/or third handles 430, 440 results inlengthening/shortening of the stent 410. For example, when the userdrags the second handle 430 along the model 400 in a proximal directionaway from the third handle 440, the stent 410 may lengthen and extendalong the proximal direction. Similarly, when the user drags the thirdhandle 440 along the model 400 in a distal direction away from thesecond handle 430, the stent 410 may lengthen and extend along thedistal direction. The new portion of the stent 410 that is added due tothe lengthening may be formed parallel to the centerline(s) of thecoronary artery or arteries (or branches connected thereto) and mayconform to bends and curves in the centerline(s). Alternatively, thestent 410 may shorten when the user drags the second handle 430 alongthe model 400 in a distal direction toward the third handle 440 or whenthe user drags the third handle 440 along the model 400 in a proximaldirection toward the second handle 430. As the length of the stent 410is altered, the placement of the first handle 420 may be automaticallyadjusted so that the first handle 420 stays at or near the center of thestent 410. As a result, the handles 420, 430, 440 are user-friendly andallow the user to manipulate and adjust the stent 410 as desired.

Various characteristics of the stent 410 may be displayed on thetouchscreen. For example, the numerical values of the length, theproximal diameter, and/or the distal diameter of the stent 410 may bedisplayed on the touchscreen, e.g., in a stent legend. The numericalvalues may be dynamically updated as the user adjusts the stent 410.

Other characteristics of the stent 410, e.g., the material, wirethickness, wire configuration, etc., may be selected by the user. Forexample, the tablet computer 70 may provide a selection of stent modelsthat are available for placement into the patient and may store thecharacteristics of those stent models. The user may select from thestent models, and the tablet computer 70 may retrieve the storedcharacteristics corresponding to the stent model selected by the user todetermine the various characteristics of the stent 410, such as thedimensions of the stent 410. In addition, other characteristics of thestent 410 may be determined based on the stent model selected, such asthe dimensions of the incremental changes in length (e.g., the size ofthe rings in a ring configuration) described above and/or theflexibility of the stent 410 (e.g., the ability to conform to the bendsand curves in the centerlines of the coronary arteries and branches).

Alternatively, the various characteristics of the stent 410 and/or thestent model may be determined automatically and recommended by thetablet computer 70 based on various factors, such as the location of anyFFR values that are less than 0.75 and the dimensions of the vessels atthose locations, locations and dimensions of significant narrowing ofthe vessels, etc.

The tablet computer 70 may also provide other treatment options forselection by the user, such as other types of surgery on the modeledanatomy that may result in a change in the geometry of the modeledanatomy. For example, the tablet computer 70 may be used to plan acoronary artery bypass grafting procedure. Coronary artery bypassgrafting may involve creating new lumens or passageways in the model400. After selecting this type of treatment option, the tablet computer70 may be configured to determine when the user's finger(s) contact thesurface of the touchscreen (e.g., for a predetermined time (e.g., atouch and hold)) at a location corresponding to a location on thedisplayed model 400. Based on this first input, the tablet computer 70may display a bypass segment (not shown) for planned connection to thepatient's anatomical structure (e.g., in a coronary artery), which hasone end that is connected to the model 400 at the location indicated bythe first input. The tablet computer 70 may then prompt the user toprovide a second input identifying a second location for connecting theopposite end of the bypass segment to the patient's anatomicalstructure. Alternatively, the tablet computer 70 may recommend where toconnect the bypass segment at one or both ends of the bypass segment.The tablet computer 70 may allow the user to place more than one bypasssegment in the model, and remove the bypass segment(s), as desired. Thetablet computer 70 may also allow the user to provide inputs (e.g.,similar to the inputs described above, such as swiping and pinching) tochange the location or dimension (e.g., diameter, length, etc.) of thebypass segment.

Once the treatment option(s) have been selected by the user, the usermay touch a calculate button 340, as shown in FIG. 4. When the userselects the calculate button 340, the tablet computer 70 recalculatesthe blood flow characteristic(s).

For example, referring back to FIG. 1, after the computer system 40solves the equations 30 as described above, the computer system 40 maycreate and transmit to the tablet computer 70 a reduced-order (.g.,zero-dimensional or one-dimensional) model 60 for modeling varioustreatment options. in addition to (or instead of) the information 50indicating the blood flow characteristics in the patient's currentcondition, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2012/0041739 entitled “Method And System ForPatient-Specific Modeling Of Blood Flow.” For example, the reduced-ordermodel 60 may be a lumped parameter model or other simplified model ofthe patient's anatomy that may be used to determine information aboutthe coronary blood flow in the patient without having to solve the morecomplex system of equations 30 described above. The reduced-order model60 may be created using information extracted from the computed models100 and 200 (e.g., the blood pressure, flow, or velocity informationdetermined by solving the equations 30 described above).

After the user touches the calculate button 340, the tablet computer 70may adjust the reduced-order model 60 based on the treatment optionselected by the user, and may solve a simplified set of equations basedon the reduced-order model 60 to output information indicating one ormore predicted blood flow characteristics (e.g., FFR, blood pressure (orpressure gradient), etc.) of the patient. The information may then bemapped or extrapolated to the three-dimensional model 12 of thepatient's anatomical structure to display the effects of the selectedtreatment option on the coronary blood flow in the patient's anatomy,e.g., in a post-intervention model 500, as shown in FIG. 6.

Since the reduced-order model 60 may be solved with a simplified set ofequations (compared to the equations 30), the reduced-order model 60permits relatively rapid computation (e.g., compared to a fullthree-dimensional model) using the tablet computer 70 and may be used tosolve for flow rate and pressure that may closely approximate theresults of a full three-dimensional computational solution. Thus, thereduced-order model 60 allows for relatively rapid iterations to modelvarious different treatment options.

Alternatively, instead of creating the reduced-order model 60 andtransmitting the reduced-order model 60 to the tablet computer 70, theinputs provided by the user to select the treatment option may betransmitted to the computer system 40 via the tablet computer 70 (e.g.,via a wired or wireless connection). After the user touches thecalculate button 340, the computer system 40 may recalculate theinformation indicating the blood flow characteristic(s), e.g., byre-solving the equations 30 using the inputs provided by the user toselect the treatment option. The computer system 40 may then transmit tothe tablet computer 70 the information indicating the blood flowcharacteristic(s) based on this solution to the equations 30, and mayalso output to the tablet computer 70 images generated based on themodel 12 and the determined information, such as the post-interventionmodel 500 shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 shows a screen shot of the tablet computer 70 operating in thesecond operating mode after determining the information indicating theblood flow characteristic(s) of the patient based on the selectedtreatment option, according to an embodiment. Specifically, the screenshot shows a split screen provided by touchscreen, and the split screenmay divide the screen into two or more portions. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 6, two portions may be provided. The first portion of the splitscreen (the left side portion shown in FIG. 6) may show thepre-intervention model 400 (FIG. 4) with the treatment option selectedby the user (placement of the stent 410, as described above inconnection with FIG. 4).

The second portion of the split screen (the right side portion shown inFIG. 6) may show the past-intervention model 500 that reflects theinformation indicating the blood flow characteristic(s) of the patientbased on selected treatment option. The post-intervention model 500 mayshow any change in geometry of the anatomical structure due to theselected treatment option. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG.6, the post-intervention model 500 shows a widening 510 of the lumenwhere the simulated stent 410 is placed. The post-intervention model 500may also display the start and end points of the stent 410.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the pre-intervention andpost-intervention models 400, 500 indicate computed FFR. The splitscreen allows the user to view and compare information relating to theuntreated patient (e.g., without the stent(s)), such as the model 400,side-by-side with information relating to the simulated treatment forthe patient, such as the model 500. For example, the same color, shade,pattern, or other visual indicators as the model 400 may be assigned tothe respective FFR values for the model 500. Thus, the model 500 mayalso visually indicate the variations in FFR throughout the model 500without having to specify the individual values for each point in themodel 500. The model 500 shown in FIG. 6 shows that, for this particularpatient, under the treatment plan selected by the user, FFR is generallyuniform and approximately 1.0 in the aorta (e.g., as indicated by thecolor blue), and that FFR gradually and continuously decreases (e.g., tovalues ranging from 1.0 down to approximately 0.9, as indicated bygradually changing colors from blue to cyan or a mix of blue and cyan)in the main coronary arteries and the branches. In this embodiment, thepost-interventional model 500 does not include the areas 112 and 114 ofsharper decreases in FFR that are shown in the pre-interventional model400. Thus, the split screen provides a comparison of thepre-interventional model 400 of the untreated patient (showing thepatent's current condition) and the post-interventional model 500 forthe proposed treatment to help the physician or other user to assess theresults of various treatment options.

Either portion of the split screen may be configured to receive inputsfrom the user and may respond to the inputs as described above inconnection with the first operating mode. For example, the user maytouch any location on the model(s) 400 and/or 500 to determine thenumerical value of any of the blood flow characteristic(s) and/orgeometry information at that location, e.g., by creating one or morepins 330 for moving around the model(s) 400 and/or 500. In anembodiment, when the user touches a location (or creates the pin 330) onone of the models 400 or 500 to determine the numerical value of theblood flow characteristic(s) and/or geometry information at theindicated location, the numerical value of the blood flowcharacteristic(s) and/or geometry information at the same location inthe other model 400 or 500 may also be displayed for comparison. Forexample, another pin 330 may be automatically created at the samelocation in the other model 400 or 500. As a result, the split screenmay provide mirrored pins 330 in the two displayed models such thatmovement of one pin 330 in one of the models due to user input isautomatically mirrored by the pin 330 in the other model and thenumerical values of the blood flow characteristic(s) and/or geometryinformation at the respective locations may be compared and updateddynamically as the pins 330 move.

Also, the user may adjust the rotation, zoom, and/or focal point for themodel(s) 400 and/or 500. In an embodiment, when the user adjusts therotation, zoo and/or focal point for one of the models 400 or 500, therotation, zoom, and/or focal point for the other model 400 or 500 isadjusted similarly.

The first portion of the split screen (showing the pre-interventionmodel 400) may be configured to receive inputs from the user and mayrespond to the inputs as described above in connection with the secondoperating mode. For example, the user may select or adjust the treatmentoption using the pre-intervention model 400. After making the desiredchanges, the user may touch the calculate button 340, which may causethe tablet computer 70 to modify the reduced-order model 60 based on thenew treatment option selected by the user. After solving the equationsassociated with the modified reduced-order model 60, the tablet computer70 may output a modified post-intervention model 500 that reflects thenew treatment option selected by the user Alternatively, the tabletcomputer 70 may transmit the new treatment option to the computer system40, which will re-solve the equations 30 based on the new selectedtreatment option and send the modified post-intervention model 500 tothe tablet computer 70 for displaying to the user.

Alternatively, the split screen may provide two portions for comparingthe results of different treatment options. In such an embodiment, eachportion of the split screen may be configured to receive inputsassociated with selecting treatment options using the pre-interventionmodel 400 as described above and may be able to display differentpost-intervention models 500 based on the different treatment optionsselected.

Accordingly, the split screen allows the user to repeatedly select newtreatment options and use the tablet computer 70 to predict and comparethe effects of various treatment options to each other and/or toinformation relating to the untreated patient. The reduced-order model60 may allow the user to analyze and compare different treatment optionsmore easily and quickly without having to solve the equations 30 eachtime a different treatment option is selected.

The system may be used to predict a potential benefit of percutaneouscoronary interventions on coronary artery blood flow in order to selectthe optimal interventional strategy, and/or to predict a potentialbenefit of coronary artery bypass grafting on coronary artery blood flowin order to select the optimal surgical strategy.

The systems and methods disclosed herein may be incorporated into aportable software tool accessed by physicians and other users to providepatient specific blood flow information and to plan treatment options.In addition, physicians and other users may use the portable softwaretool to predict the effect of medical, interventional, and/or surgicaltreatments on coronary artery blood flow. The portable software tool maybe used to prevent, diagnose, manage, and/or treat disease in otherportions of the cardiovascular system including arteries of the neck(e.g., carotid arteries), arteries in the head (e.g., cerebralarteries), arteries in the thorax, arteries in the abdomen (e.g., theabdominal aorta and its branches), arteries in the arms, or arteries inthe legs (e.g., the femoral and popliteal arteries). The portablesoftware tool may be interactive to enable physicians and other users todevelop optimal personalized therapies for patients.

The computer system 40 for solving the equations 30 governing blood flowmay be provided as part of a web-based service or other service, e.g., aservice provided by an entity that is separate from the physician. Theservice provider may, for example, operate the web-based service and mayprovide a web portal or other web-based application (e.g., run on aserver or other computer system operated by the service provider) thatis accessible to physicians or other users via a network or othermethods of communicating data between computer systems. For example, thepatient-specific anatomical data 10 obtained noninvasively from thepatient may be provided to the service provider, and the serviceprovider may use the data to produce the three-dimensional model 12 orother models/meshes and/or any simulations or other results determinedby solving the equations 30 described above in connection with FIG. 1,such as the reduced-order model 60, the computed FFR model 100, and/orthe computed blood pressure gradient model 200. Then, the web-basedservice may transmit the models 60, 100, and/or 200 to the physician'stablet computer 70 (or other portable device). The physician may use thetablet computer 70 to interact with the models 100 or 200, and toprovide inputs, e.g., to select possible treatment options and determineblood flow information based on the selected possible treatment options.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the disclosed systems andprocesses without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Otherembodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the disclosuredisclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of thedisclosure being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing patient-specific bloodflow information using at least one computer system with at least oneprocessor, the at least one computer system including a touchscreen, themethod comprising: displaying, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensionalmodel based on patient-specific data, the three-dimensional modelrepresenting at least a portion of an anatomical structure of thepatient; receiving, from a user, an input relating to a location on thetouchscreen, the input indicating a modification of thethree-dimensional model and causing the computer system to generate adisplay of an intervention at a location of the three-dimensional modelcorresponding to the location on the touchscreen; determining anddisplaying information regarding the blood flow characteristic in theanatomical structure based on the modification of the three-dimensionalmodel; and enabling the user to interact with the touchscreen to movethe displayed intervention along a vessel to update the determined anddisplayed information regarding the blood flow characteristic based onfurther modification of the three-dimensional model.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the input relates to the location on the touchscreenindicated by at least one pointing object controlled by the user, thelocation on the touchscreen indicating a location in thethree-dimensional model for the modification.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: updating the displayed information as the usermodifies the location on the touchscreen and on the displayedthree-dimensional model.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:forming a pin at the location, the pin being movable by the user withinthe three-dimensional model; and updating, on the touchscreen, theinformation regarding the blood flow characteristic in the anatomicalstructure as the pin is moved by the user.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining the information regarding the blood flowcharacteristic in the anatomical structure at a plurality of locationsin the three-dimensional model and indicating the information on thedisplayed three-dimensional model using at least one of shading,patterns, or coloring.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:rotating the displayed three-dimensional model in response to the userswiping a surface of the touchscreen, an amount and direction ofrotation depending on a characteristic of the swipe.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: adjusting a zoom on the displayedthree-dimensional model in response to the user pinching two of aplurality of pointing objects located at separate locations with respectto the touchscreen, an amount of the zoom depending on a characteristicof the pinch.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the modificationcorresponds to placement of a stent, and the processor is configured todisplay the stent as the intervention.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: receiving an input indicating a size of the stent or achange in location or change in size of the stent.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: providing a split screen including a firstportion and a second portion, the first portion displaying thethree-dimensional model representing at least the portion of theanatomical structure and the stent, and the second portion displayingthe three-dimensional model after placement of the stent.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the modification corresponds to a formation of abypass, and the processor is further configured to display the bypass asthe intervention.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:receiving an input indicating at least one location for connecting thebypass to the displayed three-dimensional model, and an input indicatinga change in location or a change in size of the bypass.
 13. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: providing a split screen including afirst portion and a second portion, the two portions being configured toreceive different inputs indicating different modifications of therespective displayed three-dimensional models.
 14. The method of claim1, wherein receiving the input includes receiving the input from atleast one pointing object controlled by the user, and the at least onepointing object includes at least one digit of the user or a stylus. 15.The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes at least one ofpressure gradient, fractional flow reserve, pressure, flow rate, andvelocity.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the anatomical structure ofthe patient includes at least a portion of an aorta and at least aportion of a plurality of coronary arteries emanating from the portionof the aorta.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the informationincludes a fractional flow reserve indicating a ratio between a pressureat a location in the plurality of coronary arteries and a pressure at alocation upstream from the location in the plurality of coronaryarteries.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the anatomical structure ofthe patient includes at least one of a portion of a plurality ofarteries in the patient's heart, neck, head, thorax, abdomen, arms, orlegs.
 19. A system for providing patient-specific blood flow informationfor a patient, the system comprising: a display device including atouchscreen and being configured to display a three-dimensional modelrepresenting at least a portion of an anatomical structure of thepatient based on patient-specific data; and a processor configured to:(i) receive, from a user, an input relating to a location on thetouchscreen, the input causing a modification of the three-dimensionalmodel, (ii) generate a display of an intervention at a location of thethree-dimensional model corresponding to the location on thetouchscreen, (iii) determine and display information regarding the bloodflow characteristic in the anatomical structure based on themodification of the three-dimensional model, and (iv) enable the user tointeract with the touchscreen to move the displayed intervention along avessel to update the determined and displayed information regarding theblood flow characteristic based on further modification of thethree-dimensional model.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein theprocessor is further configured to update the displayed information asthe user modifies the location on the touchscreen and on the displayedthree-dimensional model.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: form a pin at the location, the pinbeing movable by the user within the three-dimensional model; andupdate, on the touchscreen, the information regarding the blood flowcharacteristic in the anatomical structure as the pin is moved by theuser.
 22. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to determine the information regarding the blood flowcharacteristic in the anatomical structure at a plurality of locationsin the three-dimensional model and indicate the information on thedisplayed three-dimensional model using at least one of shading,patterns, or coloring.
 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the processoris further configured to rotate the displayed three-dimensional model inresponse to the user swiping a surface of the touchscreen, an amount anddirection of rotation depending on a characteristic of the swipe. 24.The system of claim 19 wherein the processor is further configured toadjust a zoom on the displayed three-dimensional model in response tothe user pinching two of the at least one pointing objects located atseparate locations with respect to the touchscreen, an amount of thezoom depending on a characteristic of the pinch.
 25. The system of claim19, wherein the modification corresponds to placement of a stent, andthe processor is further configured to display the stent as theintervention, and receive an input indicating a size of the stent, or achange in location or change in size of the intervention.
 26. The systemof claim 19, wherein the modification corresponds to a formation of abypass, and the processor is further configured to display the bypass asthe intervention, and to receive an input indicating at least onelocation for connecting the bypass to the displayed three-dimensionalmodel, or indicating a change in location or a change in size of thebypass.
 27. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to provide a split screen including a first portion and asecond portion, the two portions being configured to receive differentinputs indicating different modifications of the respective displayedthree-dimensional models.
 28. The system of claim 19, wherein theinformation includes at least one of pressure gradient, fractional flowreserve, pressure, flow rate, and velocity; and wherein the anatomicalstructure of the patient includes at least a portion of an aorta and atleast a portion of a plurality of coronary arteries emanating from theportion of the aorta.
 29. A non-transitory computer readable medium foruse on at least one touchscreen computer system containingcomputer-executable programming instructions for providingpatient-specific blood flow information, the instructions beingexecutable by the at least one touchscreen computer system for:displaying, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model based onpatient-specific data, the three-dimensional model representing at leasta portion of an anatomical structure of the patient; receiving, from auser, an input relating to a location on the touchscreen, the inputindicating a modification of the three-dimensional model and causing thecomputer system to generate a display of an intervention at a locationof the three-dimensional model corresponding to the location on thetouchscreen; determining and displaying information regarding the bloodflow characteristic in the anatomical structure based on themodification of the three-dimensional model; and enabling the user tointeract with the touchscreen to move the displayed intervention along avessel to update the determined and displayed information regarding theblood flow characteristic based on further modification of thethree-dimensional model.
 30. A method for providing patient-specificblood flow information using at least one computer system, the at leastone computer system including a touchscreen, the method comprising:displaying, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model based onpatient-specific data, the three-dimensional model representing at leasta portion of an anatomical structure of the patient; receiving, from auser, a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreenindicated by a user, the first location on the touchscreen indicating afirst location in the displayed three-dimensional model; displayingfirst information on the touchscreen, the first information indicating ablood flow characteristic at the first location in the three-dimensionalmodel indicated by the first input; receiving, from the user, a secondinput relating to a second location on the touchscreen, the second inputindicating a modification of the three-dimensional model and causing thecomputer system to generate a display of an intervention at a locationof the three-dimensional model corresponding to the second location onthe touchscreen; displaying second information regarding the blood flowcharacteristic in the anatomical structure based on the modification ofthe three-dimensional model; and enabling the user to interact with thetouchscreen to move the displayed intervention along a vessel to updatethe displayed second information regarding the blood flow characteristicbased on further modification of the three-dimensional model.